help me pick a restaurant...

[HomeGirl]

La Veranda and Panorama are both fab.

I don't know your guests so I don't know if the following suggestions would be a flop or a welcome change but If you want to go the fun route and make the evening more of an "event" (and show off your ingenuity), you could go to Dave & Busters and have a casual dinner followed by a couple hours of games; or rent a Phila Trolley and take a mini-tour around the City and have them wait for you at North Bowl (where you can have dinner & bowling); or take the crew ice skating at Penn's Landing. If your guests are from out of town, you could take the Philly Trolley mini-tour and have a "cheesesteak taste-off" in So Philly at Pat's & Geno's (stock the trolley w/ local beer, tastykakes and pretzels). All these would work within your budget. I've done all these events for large groups - except the ice skating- and my guests had a great time. They liked that it was low-key / casual and it was a welcome change after a long day of meetings...but it totally depends on your crowd. My guests were from out of town so they appreciated the mini-tour and it was a sales group so they are naturally competitive and love the opp to let their hair down. Depending on your guests' personality, they may think you are off your rocker.

[The Count]

If you want to go the fun route and make the evening more of an "event" (and show off your ingenuity), you could go to Dave & Busters and have a casual dinner followed by a couple hours of games; or rent a Phila Trolley and take a mini-tour around the City and have them wait for you at North Bowl (where you can have dinner & bowling); or take the crew ice skating at Penn's Landing. If your guests are from out of town, you could take the Philly Trolley mini-tour and have a "cheesesteak taste-off" in So Philly at Pat's & Geno's (stock the trolley w/ local beer, tastykakes and pretzels). All these would work within your budget. I've done all these events for large groups - except the ice skating- and my guests had a great time. They liked that it was low-key / casual and it was a welcome change after a long day of meetings...but it totally depends on your crowd.

Michael Scott would approve.

[billy ross]

Toxigal mentioned that she was trying to plan a "professional event" and make a "good impression".

Pizza, regardless of how unique, probably falls short of that.

I guess I wouldn't do well in the corporate world.

[The Count]

I guess I wouldn't do well in the corporate world.

Don't feel too bad, you're not missing anything special.

[rumdrinx]

I would like to put in a rec for Fork - they've been getting some really good press in the past 6 or so months.

I would like to say no to La Locunda. it is a great place but not consistent enough and a bit loud for a business type event.

I'd also like to give a little nod to Bistrot La Minette - 6th and Bainbridge. Sure, it is a bit of a walk (but a very short cab ride). But it is a cute place and falls easily within your budget.

[rumdrinx]

also - i don't think that the Chart House is ANYTHING to write home about, nor is Keatings.

[toxigal]

A number of the places mentioned are great for large groups if only because of the convenience they offer, but the food is really nothing to write home about. They have been fine in my experience considering that when you get a bunch of people together, more time is spent on having a good time and not so much attention is on the food.

However, 7 people is not a large group- so my suggestion might be to book a smaller BYOB place where sharing the liquor might be more enjoyable than raiding a bar. The best experience I have ever had in this regard was at la locanda del ghiottone on 3rd street.

i like the idea of a BYOB (i've been wanting to try Farmica) but i'm not sure if if that will fly with respect to expense account. In general drinks that are part of a meal can be easily expensed, but it is frowned upon to get the organization to pay for "just drinks". so, they may get itchy if i try to hand in receipts from the liquor store.

while it is a professional event, it is also a group of good friends that only see each other a few times a year. I like the idea of family style dining in general and think this group would have fun with it so maybe Zahav is a good option. the boss boss is a big foodie and has lived in philly his entire life, so he may have some input.

[Alley]

If you want to try Farmica as an option I think Best Deals and Discounts on the Best Local Restaurants – Save Money on Food with Restaurant.com has a $25 gift certificate for $10 or something like that. Farmica is a favorite of mine I would take family, friends and business associates there. Service and food are always good.


Edit: yes, farmica is still listed on restaurant dot com

[Gremps14]

Just found out Im goin to Panorama this weekend.. Is it somewhat casual?? Jeans and a sweater ok?

[toxigal]

Nearly three years later the class if finally happening! The faculty dinner will be at Ristorante Panorama...a seated dinner and wine tasting. The course is being offered during restaurant week, so I am also putting together a list of recommendations and making a reservations at a few places in the area so small groups can venture out if they want.

Plus, there was a groupon for Moshulu today, so i snapped up one of those and recommended it to others.

[enyo]

Nearly three years later the class if finally happening! The faculty dinner will be at Ristorante Panorama...a seated dinner and wine tasting. The course is being offered during restaurant week, so I am also putting together a list of recommendations and making a reservations at a few places in the area so small groups can venture out if they want.

Plus, there was a groupon for Moshulu today, so i snapped up one of those and recommended it to others.

I didn't read your original post so I have know idea what your looking for, but Terra is a cool place and the atmosphere would jive w/ the fall well. Its in a basement on one of those old roads that wasn't built wide enough for cars.

Terra Restaurant and Bar

The food was awesome.

[toxigal]

I didn't read your original post so I have know idea what your looking for, but Terra is a cool place and the atmosphere would jive w/ the fall well. Its in a basement on one of those old roads that wasn't built wide enough for cars.

Terra Restaurant and Bar

The food was awesome.

thanks. since i'm faculty they will put me up in the city all week, so i'll need dinner three nights and lunch for 5 days.

for dinner i'm looking at the plough and the stars and Zahav. Lunch: Fig and Wedge, Stella,Farmicia and maybe amada.

[Alley]

thanks. since i'm faculty they will put me up in the city all week, so i'll need dinner three nights and lunch for 5 days.

for dinner i'm looking at the plough and the stars and Zahav. Lunch: Fig and Wedge, Stella,Farmicia and maybe amada.

Plough & Stars - have not been there in awhile but last time I was thought it was good.
Zahav - I want to go!
Wedge and Fig - YES YES YES so good
Stella - Can't go wrong good pizza.
Farmica and Amada- Always good

[BarryG]

thanks. since i'm faculty they will put me up in the city all week, so i'll need dinner three nights and lunch for 5 days.

for dinner i'm looking at the plough and the stars and Zahav. Lunch: Fig and Wedge, Stella,Farmicia and maybe amada.

I guess you want Old City recs?

Zahav is awesome. Khyber is very casual but the food is good and the beer list is fantastic. Try it for lunch maybe. If you like spicy Chinese food, Han Dynasty is good. They also have do lunch, it's the dinner menu but smaller portions for 2/3 the price.

[thegreattwizz]

If it's a warm day, Stella has this frozen lemoncello cocktail that's AMAZING. I go a couple times a month and it rocks!

Also, if there are any bourbon fans, The Twisted Tail is another awesome place in HH.

[BarryG]

If it's a warm day, Stella has this frozen lemoncello cocktail that's AMAZING. I go a couple times a month and it rocks!

Also, if there are any bourbon fans, The Twisted Tail is another awesome place in HH.

How is the food at TT these days? I ate there a couple times when it first opened and did not like it.

[kiarajeckson]

A good discussion is going on here.Interesting.

[thegreattwizz]

How is the food at TT these days? I ate there a couple times when it first opened and did not like it.

Barry, just saw this and sent you a PM.

The food was on par with some of the best I've had in the city (and I'm a foodie). Burger was exceptional, as was the duck breast (and I'm a duck fan!), and I think we had an app or two. There was nothing negative to report.